Wealth in Poland is no longer simply about material status or the accumulation of assets—it increasingly represents freedom, independence, and balance. According to the ING Bank Śląski report “Faces of Polish Wealth”, high-income individuals in Poland place growing importance on health, family relationships, and financial stability. For most respondents, true success means living in line with personal values rather than measuring life by the size of one’s bank account.
“The international definition of a wealthy person is someone who has accumulated more than one million U.S. dollars in investable assets. In Poland, we define it differently—our private banking threshold at ING Bank Śląski is one million zlotys. For the purposes of this study, however, we focused on individuals earning at least PLN 240,000 gross annually, with higher categories above PLN 600,000 gross per year,”
explained Ewa Łuniewska, Vice President of the Management Board responsible for the Private Banking and Investment Division at ING Bank Śląski, in an interview with the Newseria agency.
A new profile of Polish wealth
The study surveyed several hundred high-income individuals—entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals. More than half reported a net worth exceeding PLN 1 million, with their main sources of wealth being employment and business ownership. Around 60% earn passive income from investments. Most respondents are well-educated, over 35 years old, and have stable family lives.
However, their mindset differs sharply from the traditional image of status-driven entrepreneurs. Only 13% of participants said they seek to build prestige. Instead, 91% named health as their top priority, 86% emphasized family, and 78% cited financial security as most important.
“These are the three values most frequently mentioned. Wealthy individuals value independence, careful planning, and comfort, but they don’t tend to flaunt their wealth. They prefer a balanced lifestyle and discreet luxury,”
noted Łuniewska.
Health, balance, and the pursuit of calm
Affluent Poles focus on regular physical activity, healthy eating, preventive care, and mental well-being.
- 64% avoid working on weekends.
- 57% structure their day to leave time for family and exercise.
For the vast majority, work–life balance is not a luxury but a necessity for personal and professional fulfillment. Many equate wealth with the ability to live without haste or stress.
“What surprised us was that people are now less interested in showing off their wealth. They prefer privacy and enjoy celebrating success quietly, within their families. They value their homes, free time, and personal passions. This is a major shift from the past stereotype of the entrepreneur who works 24 hours a day. We’ve reached a point where people feel wealthy—and they want to enjoy it,”
Łuniewska said.
Family and travel remain key priorities
When asked how they would spend additional free time, 47% of respondents said they would spend it with family and close friends. Travel was the second most common answer—not just as leisure, but as a form of personal growth and broadening horizons.
Wealth as independence, not display
For most respondents, money has a non-material dimension. It represents:
- Freedom from limitations (82%),
- Security and stability (80%), and
- Independence (79%).
Wealth is thus perceived as freedom of choice and peace of mind, not as a tool for demonstrating social position.
Evolving expectations toward private banking
This changing mindset influences expectations toward financial institutions. Clients of private banking now seek not only professional asset management but also solutions aligned with their life goals and career stages. Personalized service, safety, and efficiency matter most.
“A private banking account must offer everything necessary for daily convenience—such as a reliable credit card that works worldwide, comprehensive insurance packages, especially health coverage, and airport lounge access.
But above all, private banking is about strategic planning and secure wealth management,”
said Łuniewska.
Wealthy Poles invest cautiously and long-term
The report shows that affluent individuals prefer stable, transparent, and low-risk investments. They tend to avoid trendy or speculative products promising quick profits.
- 60% invest actively.
- 50% hold stocks, 33% invest in bonds, and 20% in Polish investment funds.
- 73% invest in real estate, 42% in precious metals, and 37% in durable goods such as jewelry and watches.
- 10% choose not to invest in material assets at all, preferring cash liquidity.
“We aim to truly understand each client—their context, family situation, and goals. We don’t focus on one transaction but on their long-term financial journey. The client defines their objectives, and we prepare strategic proposals to help them achieve them,”
concluded Ewa Łuniewska.
